Numbers 32:31-42: a reflection

31The children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, “As the LORD has said to your servants, so will we do. 32We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us beyond the Jordan.” 33Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan; the land, according to its cities and borders, even the cities of the surrounding land. 34The children of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, 35Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, 36Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran: fortified cities and folds for sheep. 37The children of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, 38Nebo, and Baal Meon, (their names being changed), and Sibmah. They gave other names to the cities which they built. 39The children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were therein. 40Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh; and he lived therein. 41Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its villages, and called them Havvoth Jair. 42Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

The tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half of Manasseh, are given their inheritance on the near side of the Jordan, and they could simply settle there, build their cities, and be done, while the rest of Israel crossed over to fight for the land beyond. But they make a commitment: we will go over armed before the LORD into Canaan, and fight alongside our brothers, and only afterward return to our own possession. They will not take their rest while their brothers still face the battle.

Notice the solidarity in that. They had, in a sense, already gotten theirs; their land was secured. It would have been easy to enjoy it and leave the others to the hard fighting ahead. Instead they refuse to settle into their own comfort while their brothers still struggle. They cross the river to share the fight, and postpone their own ease until the whole people has entered its rest.

There is a challenge in that for us, who so easily settle into our own comfort once we personally are secure. When we have gotten ours, our stability, our provision, our rest, it is tempting to enjoy it and stop caring much about the brothers and sisters still in the fight, still struggling, still without. These tribes model another way: not to sit back in your own inheritance while others battle on, but to cross over and share the struggle until they too have entered their rest. Where have you settled into your own comfort while others still fight? Consider going over armed with them.

Lord, when I have gotten mine, my security, my comfort, my rest, it is easy to settle in and stop caring about those still struggling. Give me the solidarity of Reuben and Gad, who would not enjoy their inheritance while their brothers still faced the battle. Help me cross over and share the fight until others too find rest.